Naples, FL — Class Appraisal and a la mode announced today the launch of a customized MercuryDirect plugin that further enhances Class Appraisal’s connection to a la mode’s Mercury Network to reduce appraisal turn times and ensure the highest appraisal quality for Class’ lender clients.

Class Appraisal’s new MercuryDirect plugin will leverage Mercury Network’s direct connection to the desktop of the nation’s appraisers to streamline compliant appraisal ordering and delivery, automate order status updates, and to run Class’ customized review rules on reports pre-delivery. The comprehensive appraisal review takes place on the appraiser’s desktop, before the appraiser ever delivers the report to Class for the first time. Thousands of proprietary rules, based on Class expertise, applied business rules, investor requirements, current compliance guidelines, and more, provide the most effective quality screen and also cut down on the rework rate which in turn speeds up final delivery of a higher quality report to Class clients.

“This innovative plugin with Mercury Network, combined with our 91-hours-a-week accessibility for client support, translates to the industry’s best appraisal management experience”, said Mark Backonen, CEO of Class Appraisals. “In 2013, we will be launching even more tools based on our extensive experience that provide our clients the industry’s best workflow tools for underwriters.”

“With this plugin, Class Appraisal has gone the extra mile in providing the highest quality appraisals in the fastest time to their clients”, noted Jennifer Miller, president of a la mode’s Mortgage Solutions Division. “The plugin gives Class distinct advantages, both in streamlining their own operations, and in providing the highest quality collateral value review and due diligence documentation for their clients.”

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About Class Appraisals Group

Class Appraisals is a nationally recognized leader in residential real estate appraisal management. With a panel of 20,000+ appraisers across the country, the company has earned a reputation for delivering outstanding customer service to some of the nation’s largest lenders. For more information, visit www.ClassAppraisals.com.

About a la mode

Celebrating 27 years as a mission-critical workflow technology leader in the real estate and mortgage industries, a la mode’s products are used by hundreds of thousands of appraisers, salespeople, inspectors, and lending professionals to power more than 50% of all residential real estate transactions in the US each year. a la mode's flagship product for the lending industry is its Mercury Network, the nation's premiere valuation Vendor Management Platform with over 20,000 transactions a day. In the appraisal sector, its TOTAL desktop software line is dominant, used by more appraisers than all other brands combined. And in the agent market, a la mode’s Broker Reciprocity and Analytics products enjoy top-tier direct access to MLS listings and sales data via integration contracts with local boards serving more than 500,000 licensed salespeople nationwide.

a la mode is headquartered in Naples, FL, with additional offices and approximately 200 employees located in Oklahoma City, Salt Lake City, and Washington, DC. For more information about the company, visit www.alamode.com.

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